The castle's ancient stone halls echoed with the soft clink of lantern glass as Argus Filch marched the four Gryffindors toward the front doors like misbehaving livestock.
Fred and George Weasley, Lee Jordan, and Cael Vale followed with the reluctant obedience of boys awaiting a hanging. The weight of impending doom settled over their shoulders with every step.
Filch trudged ahead, his oil lantern swaying, casting flickering shadows across the worn stone walls. His face, a mass of deep wrinkles and sour expressions, looked as though it had been carved from old leather.
"Well, well, well," he croaked, voice slick with malicious glee. "Look at the little heroes now. Off to the Forest, are we? Hope you've made peace with your last meal."
Fred exchanged a glance with George. "Comforting chap, isn't he?"
"I feel safer already," Lee muttered dryly.
Cael, walking a few paces behind them, kept his expression impassive. "Brace yourselves, boys," he said calmly. "We're about to embark on an epic adventure."
DING!
Quest Update: Congratulations — You've been "volunteered" for imminent danger. Survival encouraged. Rewards pending… assuming you make it back in one piece.
The system's voice echoed in Cael's mind, precise and eerily cheerful.
As they exited the castle into the cool night air, the silhouette of Hagrid's wooden cabin came into view, nestled against the dark edge of the Forbidden Forest. A ragged old boarhound snored loudly on the doorstep, its eyes shut tight, oblivious to their arrival.
"That's the guardian?" Lee whispered, eyeing the dog with skepticism.
"I think he's dead," George murmured.
"Nah, just lazy," Fred corrected.
Filch stomped up to the door and knocked as if announcing a public execution.
After a moment, the door creaked open to reveal Hagrid himself — a towering figure with a tangled beard and beetle-black eyes, lantern in one hand, Fang at his side barking like an overexcited bear.
"Ah, there yeh lot are!" Hagrid grinned. "Got the letter from Professor McGonagall. Said yeh'd be helpin' me with forest patrol tonight — maybe more."
He beamed down at them. "Now… ready fer a nice stroll?"
Filch sneered. "Delivered 'em in one piece, as requested. Though I doubt they'll come back that way. Enjoy the acromantulas… or werewolves."
Hagrid frowned. "We're not goin' to Aragog's place tonight. Forest's quiet. That's a good sign."
Filch's disappointment was theatrical. "Pity," he muttered, turning away. "Might've taught 'em something useful. Like humility."
As his hunched form disappeared into the distance, George exhaled loudly. "That man is practically a Dementor."
"Don't insult Dementors," Fred quipped.
"Righ', enough chatter," Hagrid interrupted. "We've got forest patrol duty. Keep close, eyes sharp, and don't wander off. Fang, behave yerself."
Fang bounded forward, tail wagging, and immediately slobbered all over Cael's robes.
SYSTEM WARNING:
You've been slimed by a biological hazard. Suggest immediate robe laundering.
Cael gave no response, barely blinking.
They stepped beneath the shadow of the trees, Hagrid's lantern casting a warm golden circle around them. The air was thick with the earthy scent of damp moss and ancient bark. Leaves rustled above them like whispers in the dark.
"This feels less like punishment," Fred whispered, "and more like a picnic."
"A picnic with werewolves," Lee added, stepping over a gnarled root that looked a little too serpentine for comfort.
"We jus' gotta make sure no creatures're wanderin' too close to the castle," Hagrid said. "Forest's peaceful… mostly."
"Define 'creatures,'" Lee muttered.
Hagrid didn't answer.
The further they went, the quieter it became. No student chatter, no castle noise — only the distant hoot of an owl and the whisper of something unseen moving through the undergrowth.
George nudged Cael. "Bet no other first-year's made it to the Forbidden Forest."
"Not officially," Cael replied, deadpan. "Though the older students come here all the time. Secret dates. You know — when they don't have a private room or a spot by the lake."
"Who told you that?" Lee asked, brows raised. "They'd get caught by creatures out here."
Fred snorted. "Yeah, the last thing you want during a steamy moment is a werewolf or centaur interrupting you mid–deed."
Encounter in the Clearing
After nearly half an hour, the dense woods gave way to a moonlit clearing veiled in silver mist.
"Hold up," Hagrid whispered, raising a hand.
From the shadows beyond, came the soft, deliberate sound of hooves — but not clumsy or unsteady. These were measured, confident.
Centaurs.
They emerged from the trees, tall and regal. Their equine bodies moved with impossible grace, muscles rippling beneath sleek coats. Bows rested across their backs. Their eyes, amber and piercing, gleamed in the moonlight.
The lead Centaur, dark-haired with silver braids woven through his mane, stepped forward. His voice was deep, grating like stone on stone.
"Hagrid."
"Ronan," Hagrid greeted with a respectful nod. "We're just patrollin'. No trouble meant."
Ronan's sharp gaze drifted to the boys. "Bringing children into the Forest, Hagrid? That's… unwise."
"School punishment," Hagrid admitted sheepishly. "They stirred up a bit o' chaos."
Fred leaned toward George. "Do not mention the stink bomb."
"Let's pretend we committed tax fraud," George muttered.
The Centaur beside Ronan — younger, flaxen-haired, with a longbow slung casually across his shoulder — tilted his head, curious. "Gryffindors?"
"Unfortunately," Cael replied blandly.
Fred and George both turned to glare at him.
Ronan's eyes lingered on Cael for a beat longer than felt natural. There was a flicker of recognition… or suspicion.
"Tread carefully, little lion cubs," the Centaur said at last. "The forest holds more secrets than your castle's walls."
"Duly noted," Lee murmured.
Without another word, the Centaurs turned and melted back into the shadows, their hooves soundless on the moss-covered earth.
The group continued on, weaving through vines and over roots, spotting glowing mushrooms, skittering creatures with too many legs, and even the gleaming eyes of a Thestral herd far in the distance. Hagrid grew friendlier with each step, laughing at the twins' jokes and sharing tidbits about various magical creatures.
After nearly three hours, they returned to the castle under the soft light of pre-dawn. Exhausted but buzzing with energy, the boys trudged into the Gryffindor common room…
…where they found Percy Weasley waiting.
He stood in front of the fireplace like a judge awaiting the accused, arms crossed, face as red as his hair.
"How dare you?" he sputtered, rounding on the twins. "How dare you embarrass me in front of Dean! I told you I want to be a Prefect next year, and you go and pull this? I've already written to Mum — just wait for her Howler! You two are ruining my future!"
Fred and George exchanged glances, brushed right past him without a word, and disappeared into the boys' dormitory.
Percy stood alone, fuming.
Cael gave him a blank look as he passed. "You'll make a great politician one day."
With that, he, too, went upstairs to collapse into bed.
As his head hit the pillow, the system chimed once more:
QUEST COMPLETE.
Congratulations on finishing your assigned mission.
REWARD GRANTED:
• INT +2
• Spell Unlocked: Expelliarmus (Disarming Charm)
• Spell Unlocked: Stupefy (Stunning Spell)
Cael smirked. "Well, at least now I have a proper offense. Time to check my stats. Show me my sheet."
The system chimed obediently, and a translucent panel shimmered into view above his bed.
[System Interface – Cael Vale]
Designation: Reincarnated Host
Age: 11 (mentally… debatable)
Race: Human (Modified)
Class: [ young wizard ]
Titles: [Model Student, Cabbage Slayer (don't ask), Star Boy, Mister Precise]
Attribute :
STR : 7 ( normal human adult 10 )
INT : 21 ( depends on human but on average Human adults is 20 )
CHR : 26( charisma, depends on humans condition but average is 10 )
Magic power:14( in progress )